Algae as biofuel source contemplated

RICHLAND, Wash., April 13 (UPI) -- Algae is being promoted as a biofuel source to replace fossil fuels but growing algae or any biofuel feedstock can require a lot of water, U.S. researchers say.

A study by scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that carefully selecting locations for growing algae can drastically reduce how much water is needed for algal biofuel. Algae grown in a water-wise manner could help meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets by replacing 17 percent of the nation's imported oil for transportation, a paper published in the journal Water Resources Research said.

PNNL researchers found water use is much less if algae are grown in the U.S. regions with the sunniest and most humid climates: the Gulf Coast, the Southeastern Seaboard and the Great Lakes.

"Algae has been a hot topic of biofuel discussions recently, but no one has taken such a detailed look at how much America could make -- and how much water and land it would require -- until now," PNNL hydrologist Mark Wigmosta said. "This research provides the groundwork and initial estimates needed to better inform renewable energy decisions."

Algal biofuel can be produced by extracting and refining the oils, called lipids, made by algae as they grow.

"Water is an important consideration when choosing a biofuel source," Wigmosta said. "And so are many other factors. Algae could be part of the solution to the nation's energy puzzle -- if we're smart about where we place growth ponds and the technical challenges to achieving commercial-scale algal biofuel production are met."